Swallowing pills

[skillsandtea]

My DS (big 11 yo) is almost at an age/size where he can move on from children's medicines I.e calpol to tablet form paracetamol, etc. but he has no idea how to swallow a pill. He'll drink the water and the tablet will just be sitting there on his tongue. I've tried different suggestions but to no avail. Any ideas?

put it in yoghurt or crush it up. my DCs have been taking pill form of things since age 5. I just gave calpol when babies and toddlers really.

My kids practised with pill-sized bits of apple or bread. I put the bit of apple on the back of the tongue, told them to take a gulp of water and throw their head back. We started when they were younger and only taking half a pill, which was very small.

Random but I tend to stick my tongue out a bit to stop them being held in mouth by it? Started taking them as a child but no knowledge of how to teach a child to take them sorry!

Sip of water first then pop the pill in so no getting stuck to the tongue. If it's a pill head back and swallow. A capsule head forward.

Practice with tic tacs

Fill mouth with water so you look like a hamster. Pop pill through lips. Swallow water and immediately drink more.
Job done :-)
Ive had the boys swallowing omega oil capsules since 3 and this method works well for teaching them. They just swallow them whole now (4 and 6)

Putting your head back actually isn't a good idea. It opens your airway wider (which is why you might do it to someone who was unconscious) so makes it harder to swallow.

Putting your head down a bit towards your chest makes it easier to swallow, even though it seems a bit counter-intuitive at first.

Putting your head back actually isn't a good idea

Works for me - every time.

If you put your head down toward your chest the tablet comes to the front of your mouth and makes it HARDER to swallow.